The sun will be up in a few minutes, and a new day will begin. Today is Pentecost Sunday, the day to remember and celebrate when the Christian Church was launched. We read from the Acts of the Apostles,
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. (2:1-4)
Friends, that same Holy Spirit which came to rest on Jesus’ disciples rests on us a well. Through our baptism, we were cleansed of original sin and became God’s children. From that moment onward, the Holy Spirit has been present to us, to guide us along the path of life. What a gift, but sadly this gift often goes unrecognized in the lives of many. I hope that might change today. I pray that the Holy Spirit would enliven our faith and our trust in God. I pray that we would tap into that same power which moved the first disciples to go out to the whole world and spread the Good News, regardless of the cost. They held nothing back, and we are each called, in our own way, to participate in their mission. The time for holding back has come to an end. How have you shared the Good News? How are you sharing the Good News? Who could you share the Good News?
In May of 1994, I arrived at a church assignment which was to last about a year. The Lord had other plans, and now, in May of 2018, that assignment has come to an end. I chose Pentecost Sunday as my last official day because it marks a new beginning, a launching point for new adventures. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I will use my gifts to share the Good News with all who will listen. In addition to God’s Word, Ignatian Spirituality provides a framework for my message today. In a nutshell, that message is that we are loved sinners and God wants to heal us, so that we can partner with him and help souls. Helping people get healthy: body, mind and spirit, is what I aim to do. St. Ignatius called it cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Would you like to join me in this mission? More to come… Trust me, this is going to be exciting!
